Fluid release mechanism for a chemically-inflatable bag
AssigneeStemlock, Incorporated
InventorTHOMAS S. JENKINS
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments provide an apparatus for providing a nonlabor-intensive process for sealing an opening formed in the ground with a chemically-inflatable bag. The chemically-inflatable bag comprises two or more chemical reactants, one of which is a liquid reactant that is initially stored in a liquid-containing device. The liquid-containing device has a removable cap, which upon removal or breakage of the cap permits the liquid reacting agent to contact and react with another reacting agent. The chemical reaction produces carbon dioxide, which expands the chemically-inflatable bag from a collapsed condition to an inflated condition. In the inflated condition, the chemically-inflatable bag fills and protects the integrity of the formed cavity.
Claims20
A cap for sealing an opening of a fluid-containing device contained within a chemically-inflatable bag comprising:
- an attachment means for removably securing the cap to the fluid-containing device;
- and
- a tip portion extending from the attachment means and having a tip length;
- wherein the tip length is sufficient so as to provide a portion which is breakable such that upon breaking the tip length, fluid from within the fluid-containing device exits into the chemically-inflatable bag and mixes with a reacting agent contained in the chemically-inflatable bag in order to inflate the chemically-inflatable bag.
A removable cap for use in sealing an opening of a fluid-containing device of a chemically-inflatable bag comprising:
- a generally collar-shaped member having an inner wall, an opposing outer wall thereby establishing a collar thickness therebetween, a recessed slot formed along the inner wall and extending a distance into the collar thickness, a first face, an opposing second face, and a backplate secured to the second face;
- wherein the recessed slot of the removable cap is sized to slidably engage the fluid-containing device such that the backplate is positioned adjacent an opening of the fluid-containing device in order to secure a fluid within the fluid-containing device.
A chemically-inflatable bag for a borehole plug comprising:
- a first reacting agent;
- and
- a fluid containing device positioned within the chemically-inflatable bag, the fluid-containing device having an opening, a removable cap, and a fluid contained therein, where the fluid is a second reacting agent, the removable cap secured to the opening of the fluid-containing device in a way where upon application of a force to the cap, the fluid is permitted to flow through the opening such that the second reacting agent of the fluid-containing device mixes with the first reacting agent causing the chemically-inflatable bag to inflate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.